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CITY

Zion

Illinois · 24,447 residents (2025 est.) · 9.931 sq mi
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The short version

Zion has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $63,104. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $183,800. At a median age of 32.3, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 32.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 12%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,600
+8%since 2000
from 22,866 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,477 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 2,302 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
32.3
+7%since 2000
from 30.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:24,447 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
19K21K22K24K25K1990201020202024Zion
202425K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,104
−24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,723 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,277
+82%since 2000
from $17,730 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
41.6%
+13.0 ptssince 2009
from 28.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.0%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 11.9% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.512
+27%since 2010
from 0.403 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade13.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade6.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance5.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$183,800
−12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $115,100 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,186
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $651 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
57.8%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 59.2% in 2000
42.2% rent
Vacancy rate
6.0%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
27.9%
−11.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
51.4%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.9
+16%since 2000
from 2.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
17
RELATED:See current rent listings in Zion on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic53%(12,120)
Black26.5%(6,051)
Hispanic / Latino15.2%(3,487)
Asian1.8%(408)
Other0%
Diversity Score74.7%(17,087)
2024
White, non-Hispanic24.5%(6,030)
Black23.1%(5,686)
Hispanic / Latino43.7%(10,760)
Asian2.9%(711)
Other5.7%(1,413)
Diversity Score86.4%(21,249)
Diversity Score
86
+16%since 2000
from 75 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.1%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 15.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
84.1%
+6.3 ptssince 2000
from 77.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 5.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.7 min
+26%since 2000
from 21.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
72.4%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.3%
−2.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.1%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.5%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.4%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.7%
−8.1 ptssince 2011
from 14.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
69.3%
+1.1 ptssince 2011
from 68.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.6%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
26.3%
−35.5 ptssince 2009
from 61.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Female
51.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Foreign born
19.2%
+6.3 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.6%
−40.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
15.3%
+2.0 ptssince 2012
from 13.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.9%
−74.7 ptssince 2013
from 86.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.5%
+13.7 ptssince 2017
from 76.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
64.9%
−11.0 ptssince 2016
from 75.9% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
31.4%
+10.2 ptssince 2016
from 21.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Zion, Illinois?

Zion, Illinois has about 24,600 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Zion, Illinois?

The typical household in Zion, Illinois earns about $63,104 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Zion, Illinois expensive?

In Zion, Illinois, the median home is worth about $183,800, and the typical rent is about $1,186 a month.

How educated are people in Zion, Illinois?

About 15.1% of adults age 25 and over in Zion, Illinois hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Zion, Illinois?

About 16.0% of people in Zion, Illinois live below the federal poverty line.

Has Zion, Illinois grown since 1990?

Yes, Zion, Illinois has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,825 residents, a change of about 24 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →